MUSTANG – Putnam City North’s pressure defense overwhelmed Allen and four Lady Panthers scored in double figures in a 71-47 win Thursday (Dec. 26) in the first round of the Bank 7 Mustang Holiday Classic.
“Our pressure gave them problems and generated offense for us,” Putnam City North coach Logan Martin said via text. “They did a good job early slowing the game down and making it a half court game. We finally picked up the pressure and were able to get out and run some later on.”
Allen led North (11-1) by five points with 5:27 left in the first quarter, before the Lady Panthers went on a 16-7 run in the second quarter.
North forced the 24 turnovers by the Lady Mustangs, now 6-2 in Class A.
Lady Panther senior Nykaiya Dillard scored a game high 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Dillard also brought down 13 rebounds and had four steals in the win.
Sophomore Richiya Miller added 12 points off the bench, hitting 5-of-8 from the field.
Senior Brandie Harrod produced 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Harrod also had five rebounds.
North shot 41 percent for the game, but struggled beyond the arc at 23.8 percent.
The Lady Panthers held Allen under 30 percent shooting from the field.
Senior Nini Geretta scored 10 points in the win.
Junior Kiana Gray had two 3-pointers for six points. Gray also had three steals. Fellow junior Tahlia Kutsoati had four steals along with three points.
Sophomore Demy Howard added four points and eight rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Lady Panthers (11-1) meet Edmond North (4-3) in the semifinal Friday (Dec. 27) at 4 p.m. The Lady Huskies were 6A state runner-ups last season. Edmond North also won the Holiday Classic last season.
“Definitely need to handle the ball better (against Edmond North) and convert on our free throws,” Martin said after North shot 47.6 percent from the free throw line against Allen. “It should be a great matchup (against Edmond North).”
Putnam City North dropped two games to Edmond North last season while they were both in District 6A-1.
Photographs courtesy of Richard T. Clifton
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen (6-2) | 12 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 47 |
| Putnam City North (11-1) | 16 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 71 |
PUTNAM CITY NORTH – Nykaiya Dillard 16, Richiya Miller 12, Barndie Harrod 11, Nini Geretta 10, Kiana Gray 6, Demy Howard 4, Madaline McDonald 3, Tahlia Kutsoati 3, ONaiya Scales 2, Kate Ferguson 2, Raya Shawareb 2.
BANK 7 MUSTANG HOLIDAY CLASSIC (GIRLS BRACKET)
AT MUSTANG HIGH SCHOOL EVENT CENTER
(WATCH: Mustang Broncos Athletics)
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2024
Edmond North 55, Newcastle 33
Putnam City North 71, Allen 47
Bixby 49, Alva 42
Mustang 57, Owasso 25
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2024
Newcastle vs. Allen, 9 a.m. (Consolation Bracket)
Alva vs. Owasso, 12 p.m. (Consolation Bracket)
Putnam City North vs. Edmond North, 4 p.m. (Semifinal)
Bixby vs. Mustang, 7 p.m. (Semifinal)
SATURDAY, Dec. 28, 2024
Seventh Place Game, 9 a.m.
Consolation Game, 12 p.m.
Third Place Game, 4 p.m.
Championship Game, 7 p.m.
West Metro Sports 